Tears as truck crushes two vigilante members to death in Edo

An articulated truck crushed two members of a vigilante group to death on Tuesday April 29, 2025, along the busy Ugbowo-Lagos Road in Benin City, Edo State.

The incident happened near the University of Benin (UNIBEN) main gate around noon.

According to dailypost, the truck, moving at high speed, rammed into the motorcycle the victims were riding.

The impact dragged and crushed their heads beyond recognition, killing them instantly.

“The truck hit them from behind and dragged them on the road. Their heads got smashed. It was terrible,” a witness told dailypost.

The two victims, well-known in the area, had served as part of a local vigilante group responsible for community security.

Residents described them as hardworking and committed.

“They were doing their job, keeping the area safe. It’s painful that they died like this,” a resident said.

After the accident, the truck driver reportedly abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene.

Witnesses said he escaped through a nearby street before the growing crowd could apprehend him.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the police arrived at the scene shortly after the crash.

They controlled traffic, secured the area, and evacuated the victims’ remains to an undisclosed mortuary.

The accident sparked outrage among residents who blamed reckless driving by truck operators for frequent tragedies along the Ugbowo-Lagos Road.

They urged the Edo State government to enforce stricter traffic regulations.

“Truck drivers overspeed all the time on this road. How many people will die before the government takes action?” a resident asked.

Members of the affected vigilante group also condemned the incident and called on law enforcement to investigate and arrest the fleeing driver.

They vowed to press for justice and support the families of the deceased.

The Edo State Police Command confirmed the deaths and said they had launched an investigation.

A senior officer, who declined to be named, assured the public that the command would track down the runaway driver and ensure justice.

As of Tuesday evening, traffic had returned to normal along the Ugbowo-Lagos Road, but sorrow hung heavily in the air.

The community mourned the loss of the two men who dedicated their lives to protecting others.

Authorities promised to update the public as the investigation progressed.

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